Yesterday, the weather forecast for Ashland was for a low of 13 F. Like most of you and unlike most of the population who are not insane, I ran outside to sleep.
I had my 4" 3/4 length differential underquilt (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=23515) and my 3" full length Red Rive Gorge flat quilt on top. I used a 3/4 length REI self inflating pad for foot and buttocks insulation and a small camp pillow under the head. I did not use a tarp because there was no room on my deck to stretch it out.
Clothing: long underwear (light synthetic from REI), two pairs of socks, one pair of camp pants, a T-shirt, fleece pullover, fleece balaclava that I can pull up over my rather large nose, and fleece gloves.
There was no wind and the thermometer registered a low of 19 F.
Most of the night, I was rather comfortable. At around 5 am, I woke with a slight chill along my left hip and leg as I lay on my side. I tried to ignore it, couldn't, went inside to the bathroom, and placed a small section of close cell Blue Foam pad under my hip. That helped, but I still felt it just a bit, so I opened one of those oxygen activated heat packs. Ohhhh, toasty. Fell back to sleep and woke up at 8:15 am, seriously late for work. Boogers!
So, here is my question: how do I go colder? I want to get to 0 F without the need for a secondary heat source such as the hand warmer packets or hot water bottle. This way, I should be prepared for serious winter camping in case the poo-poo really hits the fan. I seem to suffer from CBS (cold butt syndrome) no matter what I do. This has plagued me from the beginning with my Hennessy supershelter, through my flat quilt days, and now into my differential 3/4 quilt.
Perhaps a better pad than my thermarest knock off? At first the pad was deflated. I tried letting a bit of air into it and that may have helped a bit. I did try adjusting my quilt to prove less tension on the end gathering bungie. When I overtighten it, it does bunch up a bit leaving gaps.
Should I just accept the fact that I am going to need more heat? Full length differential underquilt? My torso was great, the 3/4 did a fine job with that.
Help me channel my inner Shug!
FreeTheWeasel
Bookmarks